Capacitive Sensing Control and Calibration for a Child Device

ABSTRACT

A child device includes a user interface having a capacitive sensor element configured to reflect a capacitance change in connection with an operator interaction with the user interface, and a control circuit coupled to the capacitive sensor element to detect the capacitance change resulting from the operator interaction. The control circuit is further configured to evaluate the capacitance change to determine whether the operator interaction is initiated by a user authorized to control operation of the child device. In some cases, the child device may be configured to implement a learning routine involving capturing data indicative of a capacitance change, and evaluating the data to determine a threshold to be used in detection of future operator interaction.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/855,894, entitled “Motion Control Devices and Methods,” and filedOct. 31, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference. This application is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/385,260, entitled “Child Motion Device,”and filed Mar. 20, 2006, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/732,640, entitled “Child Swing,” andfiled Nov. 3, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure is generally directed to child or juvenile motiondevices, and more particularly to devices and methods for controllingthe motion in such devices.

2. Brief Description of Related Technology

Child motion devices such as conventional pendulum swings are commonlyused to entertain and, sometimes more importantly, to soothe or calm achild. A child is typically placed in a seat of the device and then thedevice is directed to swing the child in a reciprocating pendulummotion.

Unfortunately, many child motion devices exhibit a lack of operationaladjustability or adaptability. Past infant swings and other child motiondevices have often been incapable of adapting to changing operationalconditions. Such devices are likely to be well-suited for only a narrowrange of children or operational circumstances. The inability tofunction correctly with child occupants failing outside a certain weightrange is one example where past devices can fail to operate as intended.

Lack of customization options can be another source of inefficacy.Occupant preferences can vary significantly from child to child, as wellas over time with a single child. Consequently, child motion productswithout available adjustments or customization options may be effectivewith only a small subset of children, and then only for only a shortperiod of time.

The control techniques relied upon in past child motion devices havebeen known to suffer from a number of limitations. The controltechniques, and the electronics and other components involved inimplementing them, have often been inaccurate, inefficient, or both.This can often lead to operational drawbacks. For instance, theresulting motion can be bumpy or jolting for the child occupant, as thedevice generally fails to operate as intended. Other limitations of thecontrol electronics and related components lead to inefficientoperation, which can be significant as many child motion products areconfigured for battery power. Rapid depletions of battery capacity arethen likely to lead to further operational problems.

These and other limitations of the control techniques and relatedcomponents can ultimately result in the device being ineffective atcalming, soothing or entertaining a child or infant occupant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elementsin the figures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary child motion devicecontrolled in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the child motion device of FIG. 1 with aseat shown in exploded view for mounting in one of several optionalseating orientations.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the child motion device of FIG. 1 withthe seat mounted in one of the optional seating orientations.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a post and a seat base of a supportframe of the child motion device of FIG. 1 shown in exploded view.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the post of FIG. 4 to showa user interface panel in greater detail.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of exemplary drive and motor controlfeedback systems configured in accordance with one embodiment and shownremoved from a housing of the post of FIG. 4 in which the systems aredisposed.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the drive and the motor controlfeedback systems in greater detail.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the drive and motor control feedback systems.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an exemplary sensor board of the motorcontrol feedback system and/or user interface of one of the child motiondevices of FIGS. 1 and 9 and in accordance with certain aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 10 is perspective view of an alternative child motion devicesuitable for incorporation of the sensor board of FIG. 9 forfacilitating motor control and user interface functionality inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit diagram of a control system in accordancewith various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 depicts a simplified representation of an applied motor voltagethat may be generated by the control system of FIG. 11 in accordancewith one aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a motor voltage calibration technique thatmay be implemented by the control system of FIG. 11 in accordance withone aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of an audio control technique that may beimplemented by the control system of FIG. 11 in accordance with oneaspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of an operational mode control technique thatmay be implemented by the control system of FIG. 11 in accordance withone aspect of the disclosure.

While the disclosed systems, devices and methods are susceptible ofembodiments in various forms, there are illustrated in the drawing (andwill hereafter be described) specific embodiments of the invention, withthe understanding that the disclosure is intended to be illustrative,and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdescribed and illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is generally directed to child motion devices and controltechniques for the implementation of motion-based functions andoperations of such devices.

Several aspects of the disclosure are directed to a child motion deviceand control methods that provide a secure, comfortable, and soothingenvironment in an efficient and effective manner under a wide range ofoperating conditions. These aspects of the disclosure provide benefitsto both the child and the caregiver by creating multiple, new ways forthe caregivers to interact with their child and the device, by providingnew soothing features that will help calm a fussy child, and by betterfunctioning child motion devices. Several aspects of the disclosureinvolve or include the application of electro-mechanical technologieslike capacitive sensing. As described below, some embodimentsincorporate technologies like capacitive sensing in both user interfaceand motion control contexts, simplifying the electrical layout of thechild device, and yet providing new features.

Some aspects of the disclosure involve the application of absolute swingangle sensing to provide more reliable and repetitive swing motiondespite changes in operating conditions. Other aspects involve anautomated, self calibration routine that results in greater toleranceand performance bands to be used in the device drive components, savingcost and reducing device component complexity. Still other aspects ofthe disclosure involve or include linking multiple product functionsinto pre-defined or user-defined modes. In this manner, the child devicecan be tailored to best soothe or entertain a child occupant whileminimizing setup and configuration challenges otherwise imposed upon thecaregiver.

Although described in connection with infant or child swings, thedisclosed methods, devices and systems are well suited for use inconnection with a variety of different child motion devices. Practice ofthe disclosed methods, devices and systems is accordingly not limited tothe exemplary swings described herein.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the methods and devicesdescribed herein determine position data in real-time to apply power atcorrect points within the motion path of the child motion device. Forexample, applying power at the correct points during a pendulum arc canprovide efficiency advantages when the underlying position (or swingangle) data is determined in an accurate manner as described below.

The various position and angle sensing techniques described below may beused to implement functions other than motion control feedback. In somecases, the same techniques may be utilized to support both motioncontrol and other functions. Moreover, some techniques may be used incombination to supplement or facilitate the motion control feedback orother functionality.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, optimization of theoperation of the motor is addressed via methods and techniques thatimplement periodic or regular calibration of the motor voltage. Suchautomatic calibration may adjust the voltages that work best or mostefficiently during, for example, start up or other in-use conditions. Insome cases, implementation of the methods and techniques results in arange of suitable voltages from which a controller can select a desiredlevel for operation.

Turning now to the drawing figures, FIGS. 1-3 show one example of achild motion device 20 incorporating various aspects of the disclosure.The device 20 in this example generally includes a frame assembly 21configured to support an occupant seat 22 above the surface upon whichthe device 20 is disposed. A base section 24 of the frame assembly 21rests upon the surface to provide a stable base for the device 20 whilein-use. The frame assembly 21 also includes a seat support frame 26 onwhich the seat 22 is mounted. The seat frame 26 is generally suspendedover the base section 24 to allow reciprocating movement of the seat 22during operation. To that end, an upright post 28 of the frame assembly21 extends upward from the base section 24 to act as a riser or spinefrom which a support arm 30 extends radially outward to meet the seatframe 26.

In this example, the post or spine 28 is oriented in a generallyvertical orientation relative to its longitudinal length. The post 28has an external housing 29 that may be configured in any desired orsuitable manner to provide a pleasing or desired aesthetic appearance.The housing 29 can also be functional, or both functional andornamental. For instance, the housing 29 can act as a protective coverfor the internal components, such as the drive system, of the device 20.Some or all of the housing 29 may constitute a removable cover foraccess to the interior or inner workings of the device 20, if needed. Inany case, the housing 29 and, more generally, the post 28, may varyconsiderably in orientation, shape, size, configuration, and the likefrom the examples disclosed herein.

Other components of the frame assembly 21, such as the base section 24,may also vary considerably in orientation, size, shape, configuration,and the like. Practice of the disclosed methods and devices is notlimited to the configuration of the exemplary frame assembly 21described and shown in connection with FIGS. 1-3. Notwithstanding theforegoing, one or more components of the frame assembly 21 may be wellsuited for implementation of one or more aspects of the disclosure, asdescribed below.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a driven end 32 of the support arm 30 iscoupled to a structural support, or weight bearing, portion 34 of thepost 28. In this example, the support arm 30 is cantilevered from thepost 28 at the driven end 32. The support arm 30 is mounted for pivotal,side-to-side movement about its driven end 32 through a travel path thatis substantially horizontal. Further details regarding the travel path,as well as other exemplary travel paths, can be found in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2007/0111809, entitled “Child Motion Device,” the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. As describedtherein, the support arm 30 can travel through a partial orbit or arcsegment of a predetermined angle and can rotate about an axis ofrotation that can be offset from a vertical reference and that can beoffset from an axis of the post 28. Alternatively, the axis of rotationcan be aligned with the vertical reference, the axis of the post 28, orboth, if desired. More generally, the driven end 32 is coupled to adrive system (FIGS. 6-8) disposed within the housing 29 and designed toreciprocate or oscillate a distal end 35 of the support arm 30 to whichthe seat frame 26 is attached for corresponding movement of the occupantseat 22.

As described below, the device 20 includes a number of componentsdirected to controlling and/or facilitating the motion and otherfunctionality of the device 20. In the example shown, several of thesecontrol components are disposed on or in a control tower 36 of the post28. In some cases, the control tower 36 may also contain portions of thedrive system or structural support elements of the device 20. In thisexample, the control tower 36 has an upper panel 37 to present aninstrumentation, or control, interface to a caregiver directing theoperation of the device 20. The positioning and configuration of theinstrumentation and other interface elements may vary considerably fromthat shown. For instance, the instrumentation need not be arranged in asingle panel, but rather may be distributed over multiple locations onthe control tower 36 or other component of the device 20. Furtherdescription of the elements and aspects of the user interface are setforth below.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3, the base section 24 of the frameassembly 21 is in the form of an oval hoop or ring sized to provide astable base for the device 20 when in use. The configuration of the basesection 24 can vary from the hoop as discussed in the above-referencedpublication. The base section 24 is positioned generally beneath theseat support frame 26 in order to offset the load or moment applied tothe post 28 and created by a child placed in the seat 22 of thecantilevered support arm 30.

The seat support frame 26 may vary considerably and yet fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention. In this example, the seatsupport frame 26 is a square or rectangular ring defining an opening 38(FIG. 2) to accept the seat 22. The seat frame 26 may have a pair ofpins 39 extending outward from one side to engage corresponding, lockingreceptacles in the distal end 35 of the support arm 30, as shown in FIG.4.

While other configurations and constructions of the seat support frame26 are possible, the symmetrical shape of the seat support frame 26permits the seat 22 to be mounted on the support arm 30 in a number ofoptional orientations. In this example, the child seat 22 can have acontoured bottom or base 40 with features configured to engage withportions of the seat support frame 26 so that when it is rested on theseat support frame, the child seat 22 is securely held in place. In thisexample, the seat support frame 26 is formed of tubular, linear sidesegments. The seat bottom 40 may have a number of side or end regions 42that either rest on or engage respective linear side segment of thesupport frame 26. A depending region 44 (FIG. 3) of the seat base 40 issized to fit within the opening 38 of the support frame 26. The otherend of the base 40 has one or more aligned notches 46 that areconfigured to receive the opposite linear side segment of the holder.The depending region 44 and the notches 46 hold the child seat 22 inplace on the holder. Gravity alone can be relied upon to retain the seatin position. In another example, one or more positive manual orautomatic latches 48 (FIG. 2) can be employed. In this example, thelatches 48 are disposed as part of the seat support frame 26.Alternatively or additionally, the latches 48 may be formed as part ofthe seat 22, at one or both ends of the seat 22, and/or at one or bothends of the seat support frame 26 to securely hold the child seat 22 inplace on the seat support frame 26. The latches 48 can be spring biasedto automatically engage when the seat is placed on the holder.

The geometry and symmetry of the latches 48 and, more generally, theseat support frame 26, in this example allows the seat 22 to be placedin the holder in multiple optional seat orientations. In FIG. 1, theseat 22 is oriented such that a side of the seat 22 is closest to thepost. By de-coupling the seat 22 from the seat support frame 26, theseat 22 may be re-oriented to the position shown in FIG. 3 such that thechild is facing away from the post 28. Further information regarding theseat orientation options is set forth in the above-referencedpublication. As also discussed therein, the seat 22 and/or the seatsupport frame 26 can also be configured to permit the inclination of theseat 22 or the frame 26 to be adjusted to various recline angles. Moregenerally, the disclosed devices and methods are well suited for usewith a variety of seats, seat orientations, and seat mountingconfigurations. For example, in some cases, the seat frame 26 may beconfigured to accept and support a seat or other child carrying devicefrom another product, such as a car seat.

With reference now to FIG. 5, the operation and functionality of thedevice 20 is described in connection with an exemplary user interfaceindicated generally at 50. The user interface 50 is disposed on theupper panel 37 as described above, but the physical location andarrangement of any one or more elements of the user interface 50 mayvary considerably. Generally speaking, the user interface 50 includes anumber of elements that provide functions and operations for selectionby user. The user interface 50 also provides to the user informationregarding the current selection or other operational status of thedevice 20. The user selection and status information aspects of the userinterface 50 may be integrated to any desired extent. For example, anelement of the user interface 50 may present both a user selectionoption as well as status information. To this end, a user interfaceelement may include a user select, or button, for actuation by acaregiver, as well as an output indicator, or light, the activation ofwhich may occur with the selection thereof. Each of the elements of theuser interface 50 described below may, but need not, provide this dualfunctionality. Any one or more elements of the user interface 50 mayalso provide such functionality in connection with multiple operations,functions or aspects of the device 20. Moreover, some user interfaceelements may provide multiple control options depending upon the mannerin which the element is selected by the caregiver. For example, a userinterface element may initiate different control actions depending onhow long the button is depressed (e.g., “press and hold” actuation), orwhether the user interface element is responsive to motion (e.g., aslider).

In this example, the user interface 50 includes a set of speed selects52 in an arrangement surrounding a motion ON/OFF select 54. Actuation ofthe speed select 52 labeled “1” directs the device 20 to drive the seat22 (FIGS. 1-3) through a short range of motion and, accordingly, a lowspeed. Progressively higher speed select numbers increase the range ofmotion and speed of the device 20, with the speed select 52 labeled “6”associated with the full range of motion of the device 20 and thehighest speed. Actuation of the motion ON/OFF select 54 eitherdiscontinues motion of the device 20 or activates the device 20 at thelast selected speed. In alternative embodiments, the select 54 maycontrol the activation and deactivation of the device 20 rather thanonly the motion aspects thereof.

The manner in which the user selects 52 and 54 are actuated may varyconsiderably. In one embodiment, each user select 52, 54 is amechanically actuated button switch. Alternatively, the user selects 52,54 are actuated via another mechanism, such as a sensed capacitance. Inother cases, the user selects 52, 54 may involve a combination ofmechanical and capacitive actuation mechanisms. In still other cases,the user selects 52 may be integrated as a slider interface instead of aset of individual, binary switches. Further information regarding theactuation and operation of capacitive switches or sensors is set forthbelow.

The user interface 50 includes a set of selects generally directed tocontrolling sound or music functionality of the device 20. Generallyspeaking, a caregiver may select the reproduction of various types ofsounds or music. In this example, two different styles of music, playfuland soothing, are available via the actuation of user selects 56 and 58,respectively. A number of music tracks may be accessed via repeatedactuation of one of the selects 56, 58. Otherwise, the music tracks arereproduced in turn and then begin again with the first track. If musicis not desired, the reproduction of soothing sounds is available via theactuation of a user select 60. Repeated actuation of the select 60toggles through a number of soothing sounds, such as that of a stream,forest, distant storm, or womb. Reproduction of the selected soundcontinues until a different sound is selected, a different user selectcauses music playback, or the playback times out as described below.

User select 62 supports the reproduction of music or other sounds storedon, or provided by, a music playback device (not shown), such as an MP3player. Further control of music playback, including in some casesvolume control, may then be directed via the music playback device. Acompartment or drawer 64 (FIG. 1) may include a tray for storage of theplayback device. A cable or other interface is then provided in thecompartment for connection of the playback device to the device 20.

The user interface 50 also includes selects 66, 68 for volume controlupward and downward, respectively. Actuation of an ON/OFF select 70either activates or deactivates the reproduction or playback of music orsounds. Actuation of a timer select 72 starts a device timer of apredetermined duration, such as 30 minutes, at the end of which bothsound functions and motion functions are shut down. Lastly, the userinterface 50 includes a parental lock select 74 that may be actuated toeither lock or unlock the user interface 50 via a press-and-holdoperation. In this manner, the device 20 may be locked into any currentoperational state involving any one or more device functions.

The layout and functionality of the user interface 50 may varyconsiderably. For instance, the arrangement, shapes and sizes of theuser interface selects and other elements may differ markedly from thatshown in FIG. 5. Still further, any number of the functions provided viathe user interface selects may be aggregated and addressed via, forinstance, a touch-sensitive display screen or other panel that supportsa variable display. In these and other ways, the same user select(s) maybe used to control disparate functions. For example, a touch-sensitiveslider element may support graduated or analog adjustments for a varietyof control options. Other user selects, such as buttons of either aconventional switch or capacitive sensing nature may then be used todetermine what function is controlled by the slider element. Forinstance, volume control, swing motion speed, and timer functions may beadjusted via one or more slider elements. The user interface may theninclude a series of visual elements to reflect the degree to which theslider element is actuated.

The functions and operations described above in connection with the userinterface 50 may be controlled or selected individually or collectively.As described below, a set of functions may be grouped or associated suchthat user selection of the group collectively activates, deactivates orotherwise controls multiple aspects of the device 20. The set offunctions or operations, together with the specific selections, therebydefine an operational mode of the device 20. Operational modes may bepredetermined in various ways. In some cases, the mode(s) are definedand stored as factory settings. Alternatively or additionally, themode(s) are defined by a user and stored.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary support and drive assembly indicated generallyat 80. A number of components of the assembly 80 may correspond withportions of the post 28 (FIGS. 1-4). However, the assembly 80 is shownwithout a cover or housing for convenience in illustration of the innerworkings, or internal components, thereof. The assembly 80 is also shownwithout components involved in the attachment to the base section 24(FIGS. 1-3), which may vary considerably while providing structuralsupport. In one example, such structural connection components include abox-shaped frame (not shown) that couples the base section 24 to theassembly 80 by engaging both the base section 24 and a pair of supportcolumns 82. To this end, lower ends 84 of each column 82 may be capturedby the frame. From that lower connection, the columns 82 extend upwardlytoward a skeleton frame 86 that links the columns 82 to a drive systemindicated generally at 86. The frame 86 includes a number of ribs 88that structurally link a sleeve 90 surrounding a drive shaft 92 to aretainer 94 that contains the columns 82 near upper ends 96 thereof.

In this example, the shaft 92 is a tube-shaped rod connected within theassembly 80 to transfer motion from a drive system indicated generallyat 98 to the support arm 30. The shaft 92 is extends upward from thedrive system 98 at an angle relative to the generally upright columns 82to reach the support arm 30 as the shaft 92 extends beyond the sleeve90. In operation, an electric motor 100 (e.g., a DC electric motor)drives a gear train having a worm gear 102 and a worm gear follower 103carrying a pin or bolt 104, which acts as a crank shaft. In this case,the motor 100 always turns in the same direction. The pin 104 isdisplaced from the rotational axis of the gear follower 103 such thatrotation of the gear follower 103 causes the pin or bolt 104 to proceedin a circular or rotary path. The free end of the pin 104 extends into avertically oriented slot of a U-shaped or notched bracket 106 coupled tothe shaft 92. In this way, the movement of the pin 104 along thecircular path is transformed from pure rotary motion into theoscillating or reciprocating motion of the shaft 92. Despite the singledirection of the motor 100, the notched bracket 106 is displaced in onedirection during one half of the cycle, and the opposite directionduring the other half of the cycle. The energy of the crank shafttransferred to the notched bracket 106 then acts on a swing pivot shaft107 via a spring (not shown). The swing pivot shaft 107 is then linkedor coupled to the drive shaft 92 to oscillate the support arm 30 throughits motion pattern.

The spring can act as a rotary dampening mechanism as well as an energyreservoir. The spring can be implemented to function as a clutch-likeelement to protect the motor by allowing out-of-sync motion between themotor 100 and the shaft 92. Thus, the shaft 92 in this case is notdirectly connected to the motor 100 (i.e., an indirect drive mechanism).In such cases, rotational displacement of the shaft 92 and, thus, thetravel of the support arm 30, may be limited by a bolt 108 projectingthrough the shaft 92. The bolt acts upon a physical hard stop, such aspart of the skeleton frame 86, to define the maximum swing angle.

Practice of the disclosed devices and methods is not limited to theabove-described indirect drive technique, but rather may alternativelyinvolve any one of a number of different motor drive schemes andtechniques. As a result, the components of the drive system can varyconsiderably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. The exemplary drive system 98 provides reciprocating motionwell-suited for use in connection with a child motion device, inasmuchas the drive mechanism and the mechanical linkage thereof allow for someamount of slippage in the coupling of the motor to the occupant seat.Nonetheless, there are certainly many other possible drive mechanisms orsystems that can alternatively be employed to impart the desiredoscillatory or reciprocating motion to the support arm 30 of the devicesdisclosed herein.

One such technique involves a direct drive mechanism in which the motorshaft is mechanically linked to the swing pivot shaft without allowingfor any slippage. In this case, the motor may be driven in differentdirections via switched motor voltage polarity (i.e., forward andreverse drive signals) to achieve the reciprocating motion. Themechanical linkage is then configured to accommodate the bi-directionalmotion, unlike the worm gear 102 and other mechanical linkage componentsin the drive system 98 described above. The motor can be powered ineither an open-loop or closed-loop manner. In an open-loop system,electrical power is applied to the motor with the alternating polaritiessuch that swing speed (or swing angle amplitude) may be controlledthrough adjusting either applied voltage, current, frequency, or dutycycle. An alternative system applies power at a fixed polarity with thereciprocating motion developed via mechanical linkage. Closed-loopcontrol of a direct drive system may involve similar control techniquesto those implemented in open-loop control, albeit optimized via thefeedback techniques described below. With the feedback information, theapplied voltage and other parameters may be adjusted and optimized tomost efficiently obtain or control to desired swing amplitudes.

Other optional drive techniques may include or involve spring-operatedwind-up mechanisms, magnetic systems, electromagnetic systems, or otherdevices to convert drive mechanism energy and motion to thereciprocating or oscillating motion of the disclosed devices.

The drive system 98 described above is shown in greater detail in FIGS.7 and 8 in connection with one example of a sensor assembly 110configured to provide feedback for motor control and other devicefunctionality in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.While the sensor assembly 110 is well suited for implementation with theindirect drive system 98, the sensor assembly 110 may be integrated andutilized in conjunction with any one of the different drive systemsidentified above.

The sensor assembly 110 is disposed in proximity to the drive system 98to capture information regarding the motion thereof. The information maybe indicative of relative or absolute position of the swing or otherelement in motion, the direction of motion, or speed. In this example,the sensor assembly 110 is mounted to the drive system 98 at the lowerend of the sleeve 90, near the motor 100 and the gear train, but thisneed not be the case. In other cases, the sensor assembly 110 may bemounted anywhere along the drive system 98 and, more generally, at anyposition providing access to the motion for which the information is tobe captured. For example, the sensor assembly 108 may be incommunication with the drive system 98 at or near the upper end of thesleeve 90.

The sensor assembly 110 is generally directed to improving the motioncontrol of the child device and, in some cases, enabling additionalfunctionality of the child device. For example, improved motion controlmay include, involve or result in more repeatable swinging motion andmore consistent swinging motion during different operating conditions,increased product reliability, and more robust and complex deviceoperation. These and other advantages can result in more beneficialdevice performance as exemplified through improved device efficacy inchild soothing and entertainment. The information gathered by the sensorassembly 110 may also be utilized to control the child device in otherways as well, as described below. These other ways may involve orinclude the implementation of non-motion functions of the child device,such as audio functions.

To these and other ends, the sensor assembly 110 includes a feedbacksensor 112 that monitors the reciprocating (or other) motion of thedrive system 98. The feedback sensor 112 may be electrical,electromechanical, electromagnetic (e.g., optical), inductive,ultrasonic, piezoelectric, or various combinations thereof. In somecases, the sensor assembly 110 includes multiple feedback sensors, orfeedback sensing mechanisms, to provide different types of informationand/or data redundancy. Thus, the manner in which the sensor assembly110 and the drive system 98 are in communication may vary considerably.

in this example, the feedback sensor 112 includes a capacitive sensorboard 114 spaced from a metallic disk 116 coupled to the drive system98. The disk 116 is carried on a finger 118 best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.The finger 118 is coupled to the notched bracket 106 and the swing pivotshaft 107 via a retaining pin 120. Reciprocating motion of theseelements of the drive system 98 cause the disk 116 to pass across (e.g.,under) the sensor board 114. The sensor board 114 may be arc-shaped toaccommodate the reciprocating motion, and rigidly secured to the drivesystem 98 via an arm or platform 122 extending radially from the sleeve90.

The operation of the capacitive sensing technique generally involves thedetection of a change in capacitance caused by the proximity of themetallic disk 116 to conductive lines, or traces (FIG. 10) disposed onthe sensing board 114. To that end, any capacitance altering object maybe used. The surface area, or width, of the disk 118 or other object maybe selected in accordance with the spacing between the traces. Forexample, the ratio of the object width to the trace spacing may be about3:2.

While further details regarding the capacitive sensing techniqueimplemented via the exemplary sensor shown in FIGS. 6-8 are set forth inthe description below, it is worth noting that this technique (as wellas other techniques identified herein) can generally obtain anindication of the absolute angle or position of a swing operated by thedrive system. The absolute angle or position is to be contrasted fromthe relative angle or position of a swing operated by the drive system98. The relative swing angle refers to the fact that the endpoints ofthe swing angle can be shifted relative to the earth due to a “center ofgravity” shift in the seat 22 of the device 20 (FIGS. 1-3). Morespecifically, the swing stroke endpoints ares without more information,not correlated to a fixed position on the ground within a specifictolerance. The relative swing angle refers to half of the total angletraveled by the swing. This total angle may be greater in the forward orback half of the swing stroke when compared to vertical. Adjusting thisswing angle is directly related to the ‘speed’ a child perceives whilesitting in the seat. A larger angle equates to greater swing speed.Therefore it is beneficial to create a feedback loop that monitors thisrelative angle and controls the swing motion to predeterminedamplitudes.

Other feedback techniques suitable for capturing information such as therelative swing angle include or involve (i) ultrasonic techniques usingpiezoelectric sensors mounted at points on the device to measure adistance varying with device motion, (ii) laser or other opticaltechniques similarly measuring a varying distance, (iii) encoder-basedtechniques driven by the motion of the pivot shaft to provide a pulsetrain indicative of the motion, (iv) magneto-resistive arrangementspositioned to detect motion via a corresponding change in a sensedmagnetic field, (v) a combination of limit switches, proximity sensors,and Hall-effect sensors in various locations on the device such thattheir activation and deactivation caused by the motion of the swing isindicative of the position of the swing, and (vi) a motor controlfeedback loop based on the voltage induced in the motor windings, i.e.,the “back EMF” (electromotive force) technique. In the back-EMFtechnique, the motor windings function as position sensors during rotormovement. To this end, the motor winding, working in sensor-positionmode, is disconnected from the power line supply. An induced voltage isthen generated on the winding by the revolving magnet on the motorrotor. The sign and direction of the voltage change indicates the rotorpole location relative to fixed stator windings. The voltage polarityand magnitude is then directly correlated to the seat angle's amplitude.Due to the design of, for instance, a DC electric motor, voltage will begenerated in pulses, the time between which and magnitude thereof is afunction of the speed at which the motor is being driven by the swing.The pulse train (and amplitude envelope) can be translated to a swingmotion curve. As described below, the output voltage resulting from theback-EMF technique, or any of the other techniques, can then bemonitored by a control circuit with an analog voltage input, as shownand described below in connection with the exemplary control circuit ofFIG. 10.

With the addition of an indexing device, such as a limit switch (notshown), configured to be activated at a specific position, theaforementioned techniques may be utilized to determine the true positionor swing angle of the device. Upon the first complete revolution of themotor, the indexing device will have determined a reference point (i.e.,position) with which the position data to follow can be compared. Inthis way, the above-described techniques can generate data indicative ofthe exact position of the motor, shaft, swing seat, etc. at anyinstance, and in real time.

Moreover, if the motion is indexed with a known, initial referencepoint, the absolute swing angle or position relative to the groundsurface can be determined. For instance, the initial reference point canbe mechanically determined (e.g., via a factory-set motor alignment) orvia another switch or sensor device positioned accordingly.

Generally speaking, the implementation of one or more of these feedbackmechanisms facilitates the application of power to the motor in anefficient manner. With the information or data captured via the feedbackmechanisms, the relative or absolute position or angle of the swing ismore accurately known, such that the application of power to the motorcan be timed to produce the greatest effect. This level of detailcontrasts from past sensing techniques that provided only the directionof motion, or an inaccurate, relative indication of position or swingangle. Such techniques may have involved a single slottedphoto-interrupter, which even when duplicated, can only provideindications of relative position and direction. In contrast, thetechniques addressed and described herein provide an accurate indicationof absolute, or true, position that can facilitate and support theimplementation of a variety of functions and operations.

In some cases, two or more of the techniques addressed herein may beimplemented in combination to further optimize motor performance. Forinstance, the back EMF technique may be combined with theabove-described capacitive sensing technique. In that case, thecombination obtains speed and direction information from the signalprovided by the back EMF, and position data from capacitive sensing. Asdescribed below, these two techniques may also advantageously utilizethe same controller or control circuitry for efficient processing.

Further details regarding the use of angle or position information formotor control and other functionality is now set forth in connectionwith an exemplary embodiment utilizing capacitive sensing techniques. Asdescribed above, a capacitive sensing technique can provide a low-cost,non-contact mechanism for determining an absolute swing anglemeasurement.

With reference now to FIG. 9, one example of a sensing board 130includes a motion control set of traces disposed in an area indicatedgenerally at 132 and a user interface set of traces disposed in an areaindicated generally at 134. Further details regarding the user interfacefunctionality is set forth below. Each set of traces is configured toexhibit a capacitance level that is modifiable to a detectable extentwhen an object is in proximity thereto. The traces in the area 132 mayhave a zigzag shape to increase the capacitance modulation as theconductive disk 118 (FIG. 8) or other object passes over (or under) thetraces in close proximity thereto. The board 130 may include a backplane136 that presents a mesh or other pattern (shown in areas other than theareas 132, 134) to enhance the variability of the capacitance level. Thetraces and backplane may, but need not, be disposed on a printed circuitboard (PCB) or similar medium. In some cases, the traces may be disposedin a ribbon cable or other flexible medium. Alternatively oradditionally, the traces may be disposed on opposite sides of the samemedium.

In operation, the motor control functionality involves a controlleralternately applying and reading analog voltages on the zigzag-shapedtraces in the area 132, as the traces are passed over by an electricallyconductive “finger” in the particular sequence defined by thearrangement. In one example, this operational sequence involves thecontroller charging a trace, and then monitoring the discharging todetermine the RC time constant of the trace. In some cases, thecontroller drives other traces to ground during the charging andmonitoring sequence. With the RC time constant data, the controller cancalculate the sensed capacitance to determine whether the conductivefinger is present. The determination may involve a threshold comparisonfor the single trace as well as more complex procedures involving thedeterminations associated with adjacent traces. To these ends, thecontroller (or control circuit) may include an analog voltage sensor oranalog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample and capture the voltage oneach trace. The digital data indicative of the sensed voltages is thenprocessed to determine the actual position of the swing. Furtherdescription of an exemplary control circuit is set forth below inconnection with FIG. 11.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the exemplary sensingboard 130 shown in FIG. 9 exemplifies how the components of a capacitivesensing technique may be utilized to implement both motor control anduser interface functionality. In many cases, the same control circuitmay be utilized to charge and discharge the traces associated with motorcontrol and other functions, such as a user interface. In some cases,the same sensing board may also be utilized for both motor control anduser interface functionality. For example, FIG. 10 depicts a child swing140 having a typical A-frame configuration in which an occupant seat 142is suspended between frame legs 144 and 146, respectively, that arearranged to meet at pivot joints 148. The seat 142 is coupled to thepivot joints by hanger arms 150 that oscillate in the reciprocatingmotion to be detected via the capacitive sensing technique. At one orboth of the pivot joints 148, the control circuitry for the capacitivesensing technique is contained within a housing or enclosure 152. On aninterior facing side of the housing 152 (i.e., the side facing thehanger arms 150 and the seat 142), the hanger arms 150 (or othercomponent moving therewith) are arranged to pass by a sensing boardsimilar to the example shown in FIG. 9. In this way, an area like thearea 132 (FIG. 9) can be used to detect the motion of the swing. Thesame sensing board may then also be used to detect the presence (orproximity) of a caregiver's finger interacting with a touch-sensitiveuser interface disposed on an exterior panel 154 of the housing 152.More specifically, the user interface may have a number of elementsconfigured to simulate a traditional “button press.” See, for instance,the round elements in the area 134 of the exemplary sensing board 130 ofFIG. 9. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface may have atouch-sensitive area configured to detect a sliding motion. The sliderelement may be arranged in a circular pattern and include a capacitive“button” disposed in the center.

FIG. 11 depicts one example of a control circuit 160 for implementing anumber of control techniques and other functionality in accordance withvarious aspects of the disclosure, including, for instance, the motordrive feedback control techniques described above. For example, thecontrol circuit 160 may be configured to implement a capacitive sensingscheme for motor control or, alternatively, a combination of thecapacitive sensing and back EMF techniques. Generally speaking, thecontrol circuit 160 may be configured to implement any one or more ofthe motor control feedback techniques identified above.

In this example, the control circuit 160 receives power from either abattery 162 or a pair of AC terminals 164. A switch 166 selects one ofthe two power sources, and may be driven via the absence or presence ofa plug or other interface in the AC terminals 164. The control circuit160 may be responsible for distributing power to other components of themotion control device, such as input/output elements and electricmotors, as described below. To this end, the control circuit 160 mayinclude a power conversion and/or conditioning circuit 167 configured toprovide one or more DC voltage levels to various components of themotion control device, including those within the control circuit 160.In some cases, the power conversion and/or conditioning circuit 167includes or incorporates the functionality of the switch 166.

The control circuit 160 may, but need not, be disposed on a singlecircuit board (e.g., PCB). In some cases, any one or more of thecomponents shown in FIG. 11 may be disposed on a separate or dedicatedboard. In this example, however, the control circuit 160 includes anumber of components disposed on a circuit board 168. The manner inwhich input and output connections are made to the circuit board 168 mayvary considerably, as desired.

The control circuit 160 receives a plurality of input control signalsfrom user interface selects and/or sensors schematically shown as 170.The user interface selects in this exemplary case involve acorresponding number of binary switches to provide an array of inputcontrol signals for directing the operation of the control circuit 160.As described above, other types of user interface elements may beutilized, in which case the nature of the input control signals may varyaccordingly. In some cases, the control circuit 160 may receiveinstructions or other control signals from sources other than a userinterface such as the one described above in connection with the controltower 36 (FIG. 1). The control circuit 160 accordingly includes one ormore corresponding input interfaces 171, such as the control switcharray interface shown. The control circuit 160 is also configured toreceive audio input signals from an audio playback device 172 (e.g., anMP3 player), which may provide left and right stereo signals onrespective lines as shown to an on-board audio input interface 174. Inother cases, the device 172 may also provide or receive one or morecontrol signals to or from the control circuit 160 for theimplementation of related functionality (e.g., volume or track control).

In this example, stereo audio signals are generated by the audio inputinterface 174 and sent to an analog switch 176 that selects between theexternal audio source 172 and one or more internal audio sources. Theanalog switch 176 may be controlled by the caregiver via a userinterface select (not shown) or via a control signal generatedinternally either in response to, or in conjunction with, the activationor selection of a certain source of music or sounds. The output of theanalog switch 176 is provided to an amplifier 178, which generates oneor more output audio signals for a corresponding number of speakers 180.In the exemplary case shown in FIGS. 1-3, the child motion device 20includes a single speaker 179 disposed near the instrumentation panel 37on the control tower 36. A wide variety of alternative configurationsinvolving any number of speakers disposed at different locations on thechild motion device 20 may be implemented. Configurations involving morethan one speaker, for instance, may be useful in connection with certainaspects of the disclosure involving the generation of audio effects inaccordance with the position and motion of the seat, as described below.

The operation of both the analog switch 176 and the amplifier 178 may becontrolled by a microcontroller 180 in connection with, for instance,input selection control and volume control, respectively. Themicrocontroller 180, in this case, is not dedicated to controlling theaudio functionality of the control circuit 160, but rather is generallyinvolved with the control of a number of functions and operationsimplemented or supported by the control circuit 160. More generally, anymodules, components, or functions of the control circuit 160 may beintegrated onto a single integrated circuit chip to any desired extent,and need not be arranged as shown in FIG. 11. In some cases, one or moreadditional controllers may be utilized in addition to themicrocontroller 180 to address specific tasks, such as the playback ofmusic and sounds. For these reasons, the single microcontroller 180 inthe circuit diagram of FIG. 11 need not correspond with the physicalintegrated circuit(s) used to implement the functions and operations ofthe control circuit 160.

In some exemplary cases, the microcontroller 180 is a programmablesystem-on-a-chip commercially available from Cypress SemiconductorCorporation (www.cypress.com). In cases in which capacitive sensing isutilized either for motor control or user interface control, the Cypresschip commercially available as model number CY8C20234 may be utilized.Further details regarding the functionality of the programmable chipthat supports a mixed-signal I/O array are provided below. Generallyspeaking, however, this microcontroller integrates the functionstypically provided by a microcontroller with the functionality of anumber of analog and digital components that typically surroundmicrocontrollers. Because this controller can integrate a large numberof peripheral functions, the microcontroller 180 and, more generally,the control circuit 160 are shown in simplified form in FIG. 11. Forinstance, the microcontroller 180 may be configured to implement analogfunctions, such as amplification, analog to digital conversion, digitalto analog conversion, filtering, and comparators. The microcontroller180 may also be configured to implement digital functions, such astimers, counters, and pulse width modulation (PWM). A number of theseanalog and digital functions may be used in the control circuit 160 toimplement the motor control feedback and motor control functions, asdescribed further below. The representation of the microcontroller 180shown in FIG. 11 depicts some of this functionality by separatelyidentifying an ADC module 182, a PWM module 184, and a memory 186 (e.g.,flash memory), although these modules constitute only a subset of thoseavailable.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, the exemplary control circuit 160also includes one or more output interfaces and/or registers 188directed to driving a plurality of user interface or other visual mediaelements of the child motion device. In this example, the child motiondevice includes a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 190 that may, forinstance, be disposed on the user interface 50 (FIG. 5). Alternativeembodiments may include any number of light indicators or other visualelements to soothe the child occupant or provide information to thecaregiver.

The child motion device may also include a vibration feature supportedby a vibration motor 192. In some cases, the vibration motor 192 isdisposed on the seat support frame 26, as shown in FIG. 1. In suchcases, control of the vibration motor 192 may be addressed locally.Alternatively or additionally, the vibration motor 192 may be controlledvia the control circuit 160. To that end, a control signal generated bythe microcontroller 180 may be provided to a voltage regulator 194responsible for providing power to the vibration motor 192.

Further voltage control and/or regulation is provided by a regulator 196for an electric motor 198 directed to the principal motion of thedevice. The operation of the regulator 196 is also controlled by themicrocontroller 180 in accordance with the control techniques describedherein. Further information regarding the techniques is set forth below.

As a general matter, however, the motor control techniques describedherein involve one or more feedback mechanisms. To this end, theexemplary control circuit 160 includes an analog voltage sensor 200 incommunication with the line(s) carrying the motor voltage to the motor198. The sensor 200 may provide an indication of any voltage generatedon such lines in connection with the implementation of the back-EMFtechnique for determining motor position information, as describedabove. In some cases, the analog voltage sensor 200 may be integratedwith the other functions provided by the microcontroller 180. In fact,the Cypress microcontroller has a built-in analog to digital converterwith voltage reference that can be used to accurately measure the actualmotor voltage and current.

Further feedback regarding motor position information (and, moregenerally, device motion) may be provided to the microcontroller 180 bya sensor 202 in communication with, for instance, an element 204 of thedrive system, support arm, occupant seat, etc., which is schematicallydepicted at 206. A number of feedback lines 208 may carry the signalsindicative of the position information back to the microcontroller 180.For instance, in a capacitive sensing technique, each of the analogsignals developed in the traces on the sensing board may be provided bya separate line to the microcontroller 180. In some cases, the feedbacklines 208 may be substantially or entirely disposed on the board 168 toavoid, for instance, problems caused by noise or parasitic capacitance.In one example, the board 168 corresponds with the sensing boardcarrying the traces.

The implementation of the motor control techniques is now described ingreater detail. Generally speaking, the microcontroller 180 utilizes oneof the sensing techniques to detect or determine the position of therotor. In some cases, the technique may involve the use of the back-EMFgenerated voltage either alone or in conjunction with one of the othersensing techniques, such as capacitive sensing. Based on the positioninformation, the microcontroller 180 generates the motor control voltagein a manner that the resulting force drives or assists revolution in therotor in the desired direction and in an otherwise efficient manner.Motor rotation stability is accordingly improved.

The position information determined by the microcontroller 180 may alsobe utilized to control the motor control voltage in ways other than thetiming of the application thereof. For instance, the motor positioninformation may be used to determine the shaft speed of the motor. Theshaft speed may, in turn, be used to detect or determine increases ordecreases in motor load. Such changes may occur naturally due to thependulum motion of the device, or as a result of a change in occupantweight. The microcontroller 180 may then adjust the amplitude of themotor voltage accordingly to maintain a desired swing speed or swingangle. To this end, a set point representative of the desired swingangle may be used in connection with the information regarding the motorloading (e.g., change in shaft speed and motor current) by themicrocontroller 180 to alter the applied motor voltage. Such adjustmentsmay be implemented in addition to any involved with the microcontroller180 applying voltage according to the swing motion profile so as tooptimize power delivered to the motor to thereby reduce the overallelectrical power requirements.

FIG. 12 depicts a simplified representation of a motor control scheme inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosure via a plot of the appliedmotor voltage. The motor voltage control scheme shown may be supportedby any one or more of the motor control feedback techniques identifiedabove. Regardless of which feedback technique is utilized, power isgenerally applied intermittently to the motor at strategic points in themotion cycle or path. The points are based on the position or angle ofthe swing, as described above. In this example, a voltage pulse isapplied at a time immediately or shortly after the end of a stroke,which occurs at the maximum displacement of the swing (e.g., a swingangle of +20 or −20 degrees). This timing may also be considered to bethe start of the next stroke.

The length of the voltage pulse may vary based on operating conditionsand other aspects of the motor control scheme. In some cases, theapplication of power may be discontinued by about mid-stroke, regardlessof when the power is first applied. More generally, the efficiency ofthe motor drive is improved via both the timing and duration of thisselected application of power to the motor.

The representation of each voltage pulse in FIG. 12 may, in fact,correspond with (i.e., be composed of) a number of pulses. In manycases, the applied motor voltage involves a pulse width modulated (PWM)signal that may be internally generated by the microcontroller 180. Withthe position (or angle) measurement, motor voltage and currentmeasurements, the Cypress microcontroller may be configured to generatea traditional PWM output signal, which, when passed through a powertransistor (not shown) in the regulator 196 (FIG. 11), can be used toregulate the voltage applied to the motor (and thus the swing angle).More generally, the PWM output may involve the modulation of any one ormore of the motor voltage amplitude, frequency, and duty cycle.

While some modules of the microcontroller 180 may be implementedseparately, the PWM generator 184 may provide an option to generate adithered, or pseudorandom, PWM output signal, which effectively variesthe frequency and duty cycle of the output to minimize electromagneticpropagation of noise, thereby assisting in compliance with EMIregulations. More specifically, the “dithered” PWM output has theadvantage of spreading the harmonic EMI noise generated by the PWMwaveform across a wide frequency spectrum. As a result, it is possibleto reduce peak values of the electrical noise to levels within thelimits of various regulatory requirements.

FIG. 13 is directed to a technique for determining an optimal motorvoltage amplitude in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure.Generally speaking, optimization of the motor voltage can reduce theamount of time required to start swing motion and/or achieve the desiredswing angle. The need to vary or adjust the motor voltage(s) may arisefrom variations in the component tolerances, variations in the assemblyprocess (manufacturing tolerances), normal “wear and tear duringoperation, occupant differences (erg., weight, center of gravity), ordifferent device features or use conditions (e.g., the addition of acanopy or blanket). These and other factors can change the optimalstarting voltage (i.e., motion from a rest position), as well as theoptimal voltages applied during operation to maintain a certain swingspeed.

The technique may be implemented by the functionality described above inconnection with the control circuit 160 and, more specifically, themicrocontroller 180. The motor voltage optimized by the technique may beassociated with a starting, or self-start, voltage, or any one of anumber of in-use, or operating, voltages associated with a device speedsetting. In this manner, the control circuit 160 may determine inautomated fashion the respective optimal motor voltages for a number ofavailable swing speeds (e.g., speeds 1-6). The optimization of the motorvoltage(s) may be considered a tuning or calibration routine, in thesense that the child motion device may be adjusted, or calibrated, forimproved operation, or for differing operating conditions. The tuning,calibration or adjustments may occur on a regular or periodic basis, orafter a sensed event, such as a decrease in efficiency or an inabilityto maintain a desired speed. To that end, implementation of the routinemay occur during normal use conditions.

In one example, the calibration technique generally involvesautomatically adjusting the motor voltage based upon feedbackinformation and/or measurements of motor current, motor shaft speed,and/or the measured swing angle. More specifically, the calibrationroutine may begin with the application of an initial, nominal voltage ina block 210. If, for example, the self start voltage is beingcalibrated, the initial voltage may fall in the range from about 2.5 toabout 2.7 Volts. The control circuit 160 captures data and informationindicative of the swing motion resulting from the applied voltage sothat the microcontroller 180 can monitor the swing motion in a block212. The monitoring step may last for a predetermined duration, afterwhich control passes to a block 214 where the voltage to be applied isincreased by a preset interval or ratio. The control circuit 160 againcaptures and monitors data and information indicative of the resultingswing motion in a block 216 before decreasing the applied voltage fromthe initial voltage by the same or similar preset interval or ratio in ablock 218. After the swing motion is monitored in a block 220, themicrocontroller 180 compares the motion data captured for the threeapplied voltages to determine in a block 222 which of the two ranges(i.e., above or below the initial voltage) is preferred for reaching thedesired swing speed or motion. The preferred range is then selected bythe microcontroller 180.

Control than passes to a decision lock 224 that causes themicrocontroller 180 to determine whether the size of the selected rangeis smaller than a predetermined threshold (e.g. 0.025 V). If not, theinitial voltage is reset in a block 226 for another round of monitoringto the midpoint of the selected range. The new initial voltage is thenapplied in a block 228 and the monitoring loop is implemented again. Anew interval for defining the ranges may then be determined in a varietyof ways. In one example, the size of the interval is equal to one-halfof the range selected in the previous iteration. More generally, becausethe preset interval or ratio may be decreased (or narrowed) with eachiteration of the loop (e.g., in the block 226), the selected rangeevaluated in the block 224 is eventually smaller than the threshold,such that control passes to a block 230 in which the midpoint of theselected range may be stored as an optimal voltage for the use conditionbeing calibrated (e.g., speed level no. 5). The optimal voltage may alsobe stored as a new baseline, or starting point, for subsequentcalibration procedures.

In one example, the determination made by the microcontroller 180 in theblock 222 may generally involve a comparison of relative overshooting orundershooting of a swing angle. In this way, the determination mayinvolve a calculation of the offset from a desired angle, which may bepredetermined as a desired angle for a certain swing speed or a certainelapsed time after startup.

In some cases, the voltage calibration technique may be repeatedmultiple times (e.g., over several cycles) to determine an averagedoptimal voltage. This repetitive approach may be useful in connectionwith determining the starting, or self-start voltages. In any case, overtime, the averaged optimal voltage may be determined as a rollingaverage.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the above-describedcapacitive sensing techniques may be implemented in conjunction withcontrol functionality to manage or regulate the operation thereof.Generally speaking, the microcontroller 180 may evaluate the sensedcapacitance changes on the traces associated with a user interface tocontrol whether a “touch” or other action should be recognized. To thisend, the microcontroller 180 accesses a sensing threshold and/or routinegenerally directed to determining whether a change in capacitance wasappropriately detected. In many cases, the threshold and routine (e.g.,a comparator or set of comparisons) is utilized to avoid falsepositives. However, in this aspect of the disclosure, the thresholdcomparison may be used to predetermine or otherwise control whichdeliberate “touches” or other human interaction with the user interfaceshould be recognized.

In this aspect of the disclosure, the microcontroller 180 is configuredto distinguish between the different capacitance changes resulting fromdifferent caregivers or users of the motion control device. Thedistinction is directed to controlling or limiting interaction with theuser interface, which ultimately may help avoid, resist, or preventunintended operation of the device.

As user interface capacitive sensing measures the human body capacitancetypically provided by a human finger, it is also possible to setacceptable ranges for this measurement such that the difference betweenan adult finger and a child finger can be determined and/or utilized. Inshort, child fingers have a relatively smaller capacitance and, thus,present a smaller capacitance change effect. Although finger sizes vary,especially when pressed upon a button with varying force (e.g., lightlyor heavily), a usable range may be determined, where an adult fingerwill be recognized to allow operation of the user interface to occur.However, the “button press” of a child finger will be insufficient toactivate the control element. In this way, some or all of the userinterface elements (and the control operations associated therewith) maybe classified as intended for adult use only, i.e., child resistant. Theconverse may also be set up for implementation such that, for instance,certain controls can be made available solely for work with children,i.e., “adult resistant.” That type of limitation on control may beuseful in situations involving the transport of the device by an adult.

To these ends, the microcontroller 180 may implement a self-calibrationroutine to adjust the capacitive sensing system for changes that shouldresult in adjustments to the threshold(s). Calibration may be periodicor regular, or be triggered by an event, such as a user-initiatedrequest to initiate the routine.

In some cases, a calibration routine may be defined such that measuredcapacitance changes occurring with a “touch” routinely occur within adefined range of values. Calibration to a standard range allows fixedvalues for noise margins, which facilitates reliable operation overtime. The calibration routine may be automatically executed in the eventthat the measured capacitance change values fall outside apre-determined range. Such recalibration can arise from, for instance, asignificant change in the power supply (batteries wearing down),environmental changes (temperature, humidity, etc.), mechanicaldifferences occurring during production, varying device assembly, orsignificant “wear and tear” over time during use.

The above-described management of a capacitive-sensitive user interfacemay be facilitated by the implementation of a capacitive sensingcustomization technique in accordance with another aspect of thedisclosure. Generally speaking, the thresholds for user interfacecapacitive sensing may be customized through a learning routine topersonalize the child device for a particular family or caregiversituation. The implementation of a learning routine may adjust thepreset, or factory, settings for one or more sense thresholds. In thisway, the capacitance change effect of certain fingers can be expresslydesignated as “child”>or “adult” for either blocked or permittedoperation of the user interface, respectively.

In this aspect, each individual likely to attempt to interact with theuser interface during subsequent use participates in a personalizationor customization routine. In so doing, the user interface and, moregenerally, the child motion device, is personalized via the storage ofexemplary measurements of the capacitance change for each individual. Tothis end, the microcontroller 180 may store a set of user profiles forcomparison and/or matching during subsequent operations. Alternativelyor additionally, the microcontroller 180 may collect data for eachmember of the set of authorized operators and collect data for eachmember of the set of unauthorized individuals, and determine a thresholdthat best differentiates the two sets.

In some cases, the initiation of the learning routine may be auser-selected option. Although in other cases, the learning routine maybe initiated automatically as part of a pre-configured setup procedure.In that way, the device is customized or personalized shortly afterassembly and before operational use.

FIG. 14 is directed to another aspect of the disclosure involvingimplementation of one or more routines by the microcontroller 180. Inthis aspect, the audio output of the child motion device is generallymodulated or otherwise controlled in accordance with the motion of theswing. In some cases, the audio output is modulated or controlled basedon the current position or angle of the swing. Alternatively oradditionally, the audio output is modulated or controlled based on thecurrent swing speed.

As described above, the motion control device may include any number ofspeakers (mono, stereo, surround sound, etc.) in a variety of speakerpositions. Many, if not all, of the speaker positions will be inrelative motion with respect to the seat occupant during swing motion.Such relative motion may create desirable or undesirable effects thatare either intended or unintended. Nonetheless, with the real-time swingdata captured using the feedback techniques described above, knowledgeof the position, speed and direction of the swing is available inreal-time, and can be used to provide new and innovative child soothingsound effects that correlate to the position of the swing. In this way,the playback of music and sounds may be coordinated with a selected orpredetermined sound effect that modulates the playback based on thespecific position, speed, or direction of the seat during normal swingmotion or operation. In one example, the audio may be modulated topresent a directional effect to the seat occupant. As a result, thesound effect can ‘track’ along with the motion of the swing motion. Inanother example, the swishing sound of blood flow that an infant mayrecognize from inside the womb can be reproduced to sound as if the flowis occurring around the baby in a more accurate manner. With a moreaccurate reproduction, it is more likely that the soothing wombexperience can be replicated by the child motion device.

A variety of different modulation schemes may be utilized in connectionwith this aspect of the disclosure. An exemplary list may include volumeadjustments, balance adjustments, warping of sound, an ocean affect,various pitch changes, and an enhanced Doppler effect.

In the exemplary flow of FIG. 14, initiation of directional audiomodulation (or other swing motion-based playback modulation) occurs in ablock 232 via, for instance, actuation of a user select. A decisionblock 234 may determine the type of sound currently selected forplayback. In this example, there are three different types of sound ormusic available for playback. In other embodiments, any number ofcategories or types of sound or music may be available, such that thedecision block 234 may direct the flow of control in any number ofpaths. In this case, music type “A” may correspond with stereo or fastmusic, while music type “B” may correspond with mono or slow music. Thedistinction between music types may limit or drive the types of soundeffects suitable for playback modulation. For instance, stereo or monomusic may utilize certain speakers either well suited or ill-suited forcertain types of playback modulation. The last exemplary music type orcategory, sound, may also be well suited for types of playbackmodulation not readily applicable to music playback, thereby justifyinga separate routine flow.

With music type “A” to be played back, control passes to anotherdecision block 236 in which the controller 180 determines whether aparticular sound effect has been selected by the caregiver via, forinstance, the user interface 50. If not, music type “A” may generally beill-suited for playback modulation. Accordingly, control passes to ablock 238 that directs the controller 180 to playback the music withoutmodulation.

If a sound effect has been selected, control passes to a block 240 wherethe controller 180 proceeds to determine swing position, speed and/orother data to support the playback modulation in real-time. Eventually,playback of the music is modulated in a block 242 based on the swingdata in accordance with the selected sound effect until the end of thetrack or the occurrence of some other status changing event, such as atime-out.

With the sound option to be played back, control passes to a block 244that determines the swing data to support the playback modulation. Inthis case, the modulation is based on swing position rather than on someother combination of swing data, and the sound has a predeterminedmodulation effect associated therewith. Playback of the music is thenimplemented in a block 246 based on the swing position data with thepredetermined modulation effect (e.g., warping of sound) associated withthat sound.

Lastly, the playback of music type “B” provides another possible optionfor a directional audio techniques. In this exemplary case, thecontroller 180 determines in a block 248 the current swing speed andutilizes that data alone to modulate the playback of the music. Again,music playback is implemented in a block 250 based on the swing speeddata with a selected or predetermined modulation effect until the end ofthe track or the occurrence of some other status changing event.

The foregoing routine is provided with the understanding that it isentirely exemplary in nature. More generally, practice of the discloseddirectional audio technique may involve a wide variety of sound or musicprofiles, with any one or more particular swing motion data variablesrelevant thereto, a wide set of different modulation effects, and a hostof other preferences or criteria for playback. The number of possiblepermutations of the combinations of these and other options isaccordingly very expansive and extensive. Various combinations of thesefactors may be stored in the microcontroller 180, and may be created byan operator and/or predetermined as factory settings.

Alternatively or additionally, the playback modulation of music or soundmay involve or include multiple tracks in combination. For example, onetrack may be reproduced through a first speaker (with any desiredmodulation effects), while a different track with a different modulationeffect may be reproduced through a second speaker. Thus, practice of thedisclosed technique is not limited to any one sound effect or playbackscheme at any one point in time.

More generally, implementation of the above-described directional audiotechnique is based on real-time knowledge of the swing motion. Becausethe above-described position and other data capturing techniques canprovide such real-time data with improved accuracy, and in absoluterather than relative terms, certain audio effects can be achieved thatmay be otherwise unavailable.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure for implementation by themicrocontroller 180 is described and shown in connection with FIG. 15.In this aspect, the functionality of a motion control device iscollectively managed or controlled in accordance with one or moreoperational modes. Each operational mode can define any number ofoperational or functional settings (e.g., a programmed feature set) thatmay, but need not, specify each available operation or function.Exemplary operations and functions that may be controlled collectivelyinclude, for instance, audio input source, audio volume, playback speed,playback type or selection, audio directional balance, vibration motoractivation, vibration motor intensity, swing speed, lighting options,imagery projection and other visual effects, changes in speed foradditional objects such as mobiles or other toys, and other toyfunctions remotely mounted on the product. These toys/soothing featuresmay wirelessly communicate to the main swing control unit, via anoperator's remote control unit through a two way radio, or via aninfrared connection. The operational mode may associate such operationsor functions for either sequential or simultaneous operation.

Any number of operational modes may be preprogrammed or predeterminedas, for instance, factory settings. More generally, the microcontroller180 may be configured to provide a user with an opportunity to createand store user-defined modes or feature sets. The opportunity may beinitiated in a variety of manners, including, for instance, holding downbuttons or pressing a series of buttons provided via a user interface.

It may be desirable to create modes of operation for the swing to helpsoothe or actively engage the child in some entertaining or educationalmanner. These modes may link various functions of the swing togetherinto pre-defined or user defined applications that would better soothe achild by providing them with a set (or all) aspects of appropriate orotherwise related stimuli tailored to the child's situation. In somecases, these related functions may include swing speed, music,nature/womb sound playback selection, volume, vibration functions,lighting, motion or changes of speed. Similarly, a plurality ofamplitudes of each of the items mentioned above may be combined in avariety of ways to creates moods such as “sleepy time,” wake-up time,play time, etc.

In one example, the implementation of the operational mode controlaspect of the disclosure involves the routine shown in FIG. 15. A usermay initiate the routine via actuation of a user interface select orother element, after which the microcontroller 180 may in a block 252access a default mode, the last-used mode, and/or prompt the operatorfor further information. In this case, the microcontroller 180determines in a decision block 254 whether the operator intends toselect a predefined operational mode (i.e., a mode available forselection, whether user-defined or factory set) or define a newoperational mode. The available modes may be stored in association witha number or other designation that may be selected by the operator. Aseparate number or designation may also be available for the operator toselect a configuration option for defining a new operational mode. Ifthe operator selects the configuration option, control passes to a block256 in which the microcontroller 180 selects and aggregates any numberof operational settings and/or selections. The user interface mayfacilitate the selection process in a variety of ways. The operator maythen select, or be prompted, to store the settings and/or selections inconnection with a decision block 258. If accepted, a storage operationis implemented in a block 260, and control eventually passes back to theblock 252 where the settings and/or selections are made available as afeature set. If not, control may return back to the block 256 forfurther data collection.

When the operator has not elected to configure the operational modecontrol aspects of the device, control passes to a block 262 in whichthe operational settings or selections defined by, or associated with, aselected operational mode are determined. Then the microcontroller 180may proceed in a block 264 with the implementation of the functions oroperations in accordance with the selected operational mode and,specifically, the operational settings or selections defined thereby.

In some cases, the routine may provide an opportunity for an operator tointerrupt an operational mode without having to, for instance,deactivate the entire device. If, at some point during theimplementation of the associated functions, the microcontroller 180detects a status changing event, then a decision block 266 determineswhether to pass control to those blocks involved in configuring theoperational mode control. This decision may, for instance, turn on themanner in which a user interface select is actuated. A press-and-hold,for instance, may result in re-configuration of the current operationalmode, such that control passes to the block 258 to proceed with storingthe change. Other button presses may direct the microcontroller 180 todiscontinue the operational mode control and return the control to theuser prompt provided via the block 252. A time-out or other end to theoperational mode may also return control to the user prompt.

References to the storage of data or information in connection with theimplementation of any of the above-described techniques shall beunderstood to include the recordation of the data or information in anytype of memory device or medium accessible by the motion control device.Accordingly, references to memory, storage, etc. may, but need not,involve the memory 186 of the microcontroller 180. Thus, the motioncontrol devices and techniques described herein may include or involveone or more memories or storage media either integrated or discrete fromthe circuit elements described above.

The term “swing” is used herein to refer to any child motion device thathas a repetitive, reciprocating, and/or generally pendulum-based motion.

Embodiments of the disclosed systems, devices, routines, techniques, andmethods described above may be stored and/or implemented via hardware,firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Some embodiments may beimplemented as computer programs executing on programmable systemscomprising at least one processor, a data storage system (includingvolatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. Program code may beapplied to input data to perform the functions described herein andgenerate output information. The output information may be applied toone or more output devices, in known fashion.

The programs may be implemented in a high level procedural or objectoriented programming language to communicate with any type of processingsystem. The programs may also be implemented in assembly or machinelanguage, if desired. In fact, practice of the disclosed systems,devices, routines, techniques, and methods is not limited to anyparticular programming language. In any case, the language may be acompiled or interpreted language.

The programs may be stored on a storage media or device (e.g., floppydisk drive, read only memory (ROM), CD-ROM device, flash memory device,digital versatile disk (DVD), or other storage device) readable by ageneral or special purpose programmable processing system, forconfiguring and operating the processing system when the storage mediaor device is read by the processing system to perform the proceduresdescribed herein. Embodiments of the disclosed systems, devices,routines, techniques, and methods may also be considered to beimplemented as a machine-readable storage medium, configured for usewith a processing system, where the storage medium so configured causesthe processing system to operate in a specific and predefined manner toperform the functions described herein.

While the present invention has been described with reference tospecific examples, which are intended to be illustrative only and not tobe limiting of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that changes, additions and/or deletions may be made tothe disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

The foregoing description is given for clearness of understanding only,and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, asmodifications within the scope of the invention may be apparent to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

Although certain systems, devices, routines, techniques, and methodshave been described herein in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limitedthereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of theteachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope ofpermissible equivalents.

1. A child device comprising: a user interface comprising a capacitivesensor element configured to reflect a capacitance change in connectionwith an operator interaction with the user interface; and a controlcircuit coupled to the capacitive sensor element to detect thecapacitance change resulting from the operator interaction; wherein thecontrol circuit is further configured to evaluate the capacitance changeto determine whether the operator interaction is initiated by a userauthorized to control operation of the child device.
 2. A child deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured tocompare the detected capacitance change with a threshold to determinewhether the operator interaction is initiated by a user authorized tocontrol operation of the child device.
 3. A child device according toclaim 2, wherein the threshold is directed to differentiating betweenhuman touches of the capacitive sensor element by a child-sized fingerand an adult-sized finger.
 4. A child device according to claim 3,wherein the control circuit is configured to allow the operatorinteraction to control the operation of the child device when thecapacitance change exceeds the threshold to be indicative of theadult-sized finger.
 5. A child device according to claim 3, wherein thecontrol circuit is configured to allow the operator interaction tocontrol the operation of the child device when the capacitance changedoes not exceed the threshold to be indicative of the child-sizedfinger.
 6. A child device according to claim 2, wherein the threshold isadjustable via a calibration routine.
 7. A child device according toclaim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to recognize the userinitiating the operator interaction by comparing the capacitance changewith a stored user profile.
 8. A method of controlling a child devicecomprising: capturing data indicative of a capacitance change resultingfrom operator interaction with a capacitive sensor element of a userinterface of the child device; evaluating the data to determine athreshold to be used in detection of future operator interaction inconnection with controlling operation of the child device; and storingthe threshold to calibrate the child device.
 9. A method according toclaim 8, further comprising detecting a change in sensitivity of thecapacitive sensor element to trigger a learning routine includingimplementation of the capturing and evaluating steps.
 10. A methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising detecting a user-initiatedrequest to trigger a learning routine including implementation of thecapturing and evaluating steps.
 11. A method according to claim 8,further comprising initiating a setup procedure of the child device totrigger a learning routine including implementation of the capturing andevaluating steps.
 12. A method according to claim 8, wherein thethreshold is directed to differentiating between users.
 13. A methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the threshold is directed to determiningwhether the operator interaction is initiated by a user authorized tocontrol operation of the child device
 14. A method according to claim 8,further comprising determining a user profile in accordance with thesensed capacitance change to support future recognition of an authorizeduser